Vertex Pharmaceuticals and Genomics have extended and expanded their collaboration to accelerate the discovery and development of precision medicines using human genetics and machine learning.
The partners have been working together since 2018 to support Vertex’s efforts to develop medicines for serious diseases, with the collaboration now set to run until 2026.
Genomics has been focused on using an improved understanding of human genetics to pinpoint causal disease pathways and processes, as well as to identify novel targets in known and newly identified pathways.
Though financial details of the latest deal have not been disclosed, the healthcare company said it will now expand the variety of genomic insights it uses to support its work and increase the number of therapeutic areas under study.
The partners will also now explore using Genomics’ genetic tools to “improve identification of patient populations and to de-risk the selection of biomarkers for measuring early readout of drug efficacy”, according to Genomics.
Mark Bunnage, senior vice president and head of global research at Vertex, said the biotech’s discovery teams, research and development capabilities and Genomics’ scientists are “at the forefront of using insights into human genetics to identify the most promising targets and advance them into medicines for patients”.
“This collaboration has been valuable and productive, and we’re excited to continue and expand our transformative work right across the drug development pathway,” he said.
Genomics’ founder and chief executive officer, Sir Peter Donnelly, said: “Our unique genomic data platform has meant that together, we have discovered novel genetically validated targets with the potential to address diseases of high unmet medical need.”
“We are delighted to continue working with them to drive precision medicine approaches where treatments are tailored and delivered to those most likely to benefit,” Donnelly added.
The announcement comes just over three months after Vertex said it would be acquiring Alpine Immune Sciences for $4.9bn.
The deal gives Vertex access to Alpine’s lead molecule, povetacicept, which has shown promise as a treatment for immunoglobulin A nephropathy.
The candidate is on track to enter late-stage clinical development in the second half of 2024 and, due to its mechanism of action, could also be used to treat other serious autoimmune diseases of the kidney, such as membranous nephropathy and lupus nephritis.